DORCHESTER NEWS

November 2015

FREE TO EVERY HOME IN THE PARISH

There are so many ethical principles In this issue Talking Point involved in trying to understand what Abbey Calendar 28 The media seems to have been domi- is happening and how to respond that Abbey Christmas tree 7 nated over the summer by refugee it can be very confusing. An honoura- Advent weekend 5 issues. It’s good that attention is be- ble part of us wants to treat others Allotment News 7 ing paid to the plight of the vulnerable like ourselves, to follow Jesus' teach- Are you sitting comfortably? 15 and that attitudes seem to be gradual- Band of Music 21 ing, and open-heartedly invite refu- Benson Choral 9 ly changing from ‘how do we pull up gees and migrants to share the bene- the drawbridge’ and ‘how dare they Berinsfield library 11 fits available here. A fearful part can Bonfire Night 7/8 invade “our” space’, to concern for want the 'problem to go away', often Bus Services 27 lives being lost and sympathy for peo- by averting our eyes or trying to clas- CAB 23 ple feeling constrained to leave homes sify migrants as somehow less de- Charity Coffee Morning 19 and habitual livelihoods. I vividly recall serving than the settled community. Chiropodist 11 a docudrama made by the BBC a dec- A practical perspective can point to Christingle 3 ade or more ago about an 'invasion' Christmas Services 3 the capacity of our small island as a Computer Confidence 23 across the Mediterranean and the long-term environmental constraint. difficulties the European authorities Culham Horticultural 7 An entrepreneurial spirit can welcome Didcot Gift Fair 23 had handling what was happening. It the talents and drive of those who Didcot Street Fair 23 made a connection for me at the time have had the ingenuity to brave the DoT Tots 11 because I had been working among journey and the skill to solve its problems. Earth Trust 13 the people who seemed to be por- A compassionate spirit can just want Family Service Orchestra 3 trayed and could see how much re- to relieve their suffering however we Fishmonger 13 search had gone into it. It seems so Focus on Historical Society 17 can. There is so much that we are Getting ready for Christmas 3 relevant again now that I am surprised presented with by the arrival of peo- there has been no reference to its Go Active 21 ple who appear as what philosophers Historical Society 9 prescience. call the Other: what we experience Host a student 19 Hurst Water Meadow 13 Before becoming a vicar I spent a through our TV screens as a pros- trate little figure on a beach or on the John Howell MP green 2 number of years as an aid worker, Langtree Sinfonia 21 including with Eritrean refugees sheltering street as an outstretched hand asking and questioning our self- Lorraine Lindsey-Gale green 2 in Sudan, and Cambodian refugees Memorial Service 3 returning from the camps in Thailand understanding. Mobile library 7 after the Pol Pot years to try to recom- Nicholas Treadaway 3 It has been fascinating over the sum- OSJ Voices 15 mence their former lives. It was illumi- mer to hear so many people start a nating and humbling to hear so many Parish Council green 1 conversation by naming the refugees Parish Registers 28 individual stories and to realise how among their own parentage, which Pre School 11 much people had endured and how breaks down the sense of otherness. Refuse Collections 27 much they had to offer. Some Eritre- In my case the Huguenot lineage is Regular events 28 ans had been in exile for more than still recalled with deep respect for Remembrance Sunday 3 twenty years yet still yearned to return those who permitted my forebears Royal British Legion 11 to their homelands in the dramatic Singing workshop 3 refuge from the conflicts of their time. Social Media Workshops 23 highlands or the fertile plains. Many I wonder what local Egyptians families would send a scout back to St Birinus School 11 thought when Joseph and Mary ar- Strauss Gala 13 their former village to check whether rived fleeing Herod (Matthew 3:14) Talking Point 1 homes were still standing and fields with a little baby who would grow to Thank you from Lesotho 19 free of landmines so they could plant share a hope-filled message with the Vigil for Migrants 3 crops to sustain themselves on their world. The problems we face now Village Hall draw 7 return. There was an immense ten- are age-old; the yearning for peace, Wallingford Art Club 25 sion while families waited for the Wallingford Corn Exchange 27 as St Augustine said over fifteen hun- Wallingford Flower Club 25 scout's return and from the faces of dred years ago, is fundamental and our local workers and their loved ones, Wallingford Gardening Club 25 perennial. Let us ask God to guide 25 we could tell whether good news or Wallingford Historical us deeper into his wisdom and peace Wallingford Museum 25 bad had arrived. It reminded me of in these difficult times. Wallingford U3A 25 Joshua being sent to check out the Revd. Paul Cawthorne WI 9 land of Canaan. 1 Dorchester News November 2015

Dorchester News Minor Injuries Editorial Team The Minor Injuries Unit at Abingdon Hospital, Marcham Road, is Ian Brace, Kathy Glass available every day from 10.00 am to 10.30 pm: 01865 903476.

Copy Deadlines for Dorchester News A&E Advert Deadlines for Dorchester News The nearest A & E units are at the John Radcliffe Hospital in One week before copy deadline Oxford (01865 741166) and the Royal Berkshire in Reading (01183 225111)

December/January 13 November Health Centre—Berinsfield Telephone number 01865 340558 February edition 8 January Clifton Hampden Surgery Those items in electronic form may be sent via e-mail attachment to Telephone Number 01865 407888 [email protected]. Anything people would like sent to newsletter editors for other churches in the Team should be sent to [email protected] Abbey Guest House Bookings Anyone wishing to hire the Abbey Guest House for private by the 9th of the preceding month. functions, meetings, exhibitions, etc, should contact Hilarie Magazine Advertising Costs Rogers on 01865 340007. Why not use this parish magazine to advertise your business, service, function, etc? There are ten issues per year with double Hire of Dorchester Village Hall issues in July/August and in Dec/Jan. For an eighth of a page To hire our Village Hall, please contact Brenda Edwards; the cost is £11.75, for a quarter page £23.50, for a half page [email protected], or telephone: £35.25 and just £47.00 for a full page. 01865 343062. Please telephone at least 24 hours in advance to arrange collection of the key.

All charges are put towards the cost of the paper, printing and The Communal Lounge at Belcher Court postage of copies being sent outside the village. You may The communal lounge at Belcher Court is now available for rent. supply your own advert or we can produce the advert and Contact the Scheme Manager, Caroline Major, on 01865 343128. artwork for a fee.

Should you wish to incorporate a logo or artwork, please supply a copy, Street lighting - fault reporting Report any problems with a street light to 0800 317802, which is preferably via e-mail: [email protected]. One-time adverts, please send a cheque, payable to ‘Dorchester available 24 hours a day. Callers will be asked for the address of the site and the nature of the fault. Abbey PCC’, to Nick Forman, Willoughby House, 73 High Street, Dorchester-on-Thames, OX10 7HN. Complaints about highways and footpaths

Ring Oxfordshire Highways on 0845 3101111, available five Editorial days a week, with a 24-hour answering facility. Complaints can Looking back at my editorial for April, I see that I wrote about also be sent via e-mail to [email protected]. spring flowers and the clocks going forward. Now that seems to be all over as we look forward to the first frosts ands the clocks Blocked Drains? resuming their winter time-keeping. But every season brings its Ring Thames Water for blocked drains on 0800 316 9800. own delights and the darkening of the leaves and their changing Callers will be asked for the postcode of the address where the to yellows and browns is just as uplifting. I have smelt the first drains are blocked. wood smoke from a neighbour’s chimney, and know that it won’t be long before we are hunkering down in front of our own log Refuse collection Any residents whose household rubbish is not collected on the fire. due date (see page xx) should contact the contractor direct. The number to call is 03000 610610 and the website November brings other delights, too. For the first time in many www.morerecyling.co.uk years there will be a Village Firework Display on the recreation ground (page 8). As well as a bonfire and fireworks there is Berinsfield Library going to be food and drink to keep us warm, so let’s make this a Green Furlong, Berinsfield 01865 340771 real occasion to remember. Free Internet access. DVDs can be ordered. Opening hours Later in the month we have the pantomime that is Camelot, from Mon - closed Tues, Wed, Fri 10.00 am –12.30 pm DADS. This may not be a traditional panto but it sounds great Tues 2.00–7.00 pm Weds, Thurs 2.00–5.30 pm fun with which to kick off the winter. I will certainly be there to Fri 2.00–5.00 pm Sat 10.00 am – 12.30 pm enjoy it and I hope that most of the village will be too (page 6). Village Bus Services Equally non-traditional is the Advent Weekend at the Abbey with Information about village bus services is now given on inside Captain Graham, magician and children’s evangelist. Sunday back page. School was not that kind of fun when I were a lad! (See page 3.) Information about bus services, both local and national, is From Megan Parry there is a wonderful story of generosity that available from www.traveline.info, and 0871 200 2233, which has provided a new bench in the Cloister Garden (page15). also provides information about trains, London Underground and Overground and ferries throughout the UK. So much heart-warming stuff as we enter the colder days. Ian Brace Oxfordshire Dial-A-Ride Door to door minibus service for shopping trips. For information please contact 0845 310 1111.

Useful Information Shopmobility Contacting the Police Free loan of wheelchairs and electric scooters to people who To report a non-emergency crime, or to give information to Thames Valley Police, please call 101 Alternatively, call need them for shopping in Oxford. For information please ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. In the event of 01865 248737. an emergency dial 999.

Direct Line to Urgent Local Health Services Contacting the Parish Council Dial 111 to access urgent local NHS health care services. The The Parish Clerk is Geoffrey Russell of The Pigeons (next to NHS111 team will, where possible, book you an appointment or The Fleur de Lys), High Street, Dorchester on Thames OX10 transfer you directly to the people you need to speak to or send 7HH; 01865 340759 (during normal office hours, please, unless an ambulance if they think you need one. (For non-urgent an emergency); [email protected]. health needs you should contact your GP in the usual way) More information about the village is available at:

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Memorial Service A Vigil for Migrants Sunday 1 November Throughout the World The Sunday closest to All Saints’ Day is a time to remem- ber not only the famous saints like St Peter, St Paul and Sunday 1 November St Birinus, but also what I like to call the “saints in ordi- Dorchester Abbey nary”. The church calls this All Souls Tide. There are from 6.30 - 9.30 pm. many people who have had an enormous impact on our lives and shaped and moulded the people we are. Very Please join us for some or all of the time, in a candlelight often these are relatives or close friends; in a village like evening of prayerful meditation, Dorchester they are also the significant personalities who with spoken prayers on the hour and silence for your own have contributed to the life of the community. In recent reflections in between times. years we have lost from our community a large number of Optional prayer sheets will be provided. very special people. I hope that the Morning Service on 1 November will be a good time to remember them We thank you Heavenly Father for opening the with thanksgiving and reflect on what we have learned hearts of many to those who are from them. In particular anyone for whom a funeral has fleeing for their lives. been held in the Abbey is warmly invited to attend this Help us now to open our arms in welcome. service. It will be possible to ask for the names of people that have been important to you personally to be added to a list that will be read during the prayers. There will be Getting Ready for Christmas! lists at the back of the Abbey but you may also telephone Just before you open the first window of your Advent Cal- the Rectory (340007) to ask for a name to be added. endar we will be welcoming a special visitor to the Dor- chester Team for a whole weekend to help us get ready for Christmas! Remembrance Sunday Captain Graham Nunn started his working life as a 8 November Postman - now he works as a Church Army Evangelist On 8 November we play our part as a village community in mainly in schools around Kent but also talking to the National Act of Remembrance. We look forward to adults. He is a fantastic conjuror and links the tricks with welcoming members of the British Legion and the wider his faith with a great sense of humour and a good line in village community in the Abbey at 10am (please note the jokes! earlier time) and sharing the ceremony at the War Memorial at 10.55am (in time for the 11am silence). And he is coming here for the weekend of Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November. A special visitor to help us get ready for Christmas. Christingle He will join children in our schools on Friday and Monday, 10.30am 15 November be the host of a special ‘Get Ready for Christmas Family Our November Family Service will celebrate the light of Tea Party’ with games, children's crafts, tea, sandwiches the world with a Christingle Service. and cake - all mixed up with a touch of magic! Please arrive from 10am to make your Christingle. The Sunday will be Advent Sunday and in a Team service for all the family at Dorchester Abbey at 10.30am we will The Dorchester Abbey join in praise and prayer, be entertained and taught by Captain Graham and enjoy worshipping together. Family Service Orchestra Once a month, a group of musicians get together to If you want to know more about Graham's work you are accompany the hymns at the Dorchester Abbey family invited to stay on (or arrive in time for) a Bring and Share service; this usually happens on the third Sunday of the lunch at about 12.15pm after the service. month at 10.30am. At the moment we boast Oboe, Clari- net, Saxophone, Bassoon, Violin, Viola and 'Cello. We In the Evening at 6pm our Advent Carol Service, led by a rehearse before the service at 9.45am. choir drawn from the Team Churches, will offer a chance to be quiet at the end of a busy weekend and the readings Would you like to join us? We are looking for players of will give us an opportunity to pray for the plight of refugees orchestral and brass instruments any age from about and migrants. grade two standard upwards. Music is available to look at a week before each service. If you think you might be interested, speak to Jeremy Boughton (Abbey Organist) Young Person’s Singing Workshop on 01491 836310, or contact via the parish office, or just Are you between 7 and 13 years old? come to a Family Service. Do you like singing? Dorchester Abbey is holding a free workshop on Sunday 17 January 2016. Come along, learn some new songs Christmas Services and a bit about how to sing whilst having fun in a beautiful The Abbey Carol Service will be on Sunday 20 December building! at 6pm. All other services follow the pattern of previous years, and there will be an invitation for each household in Workshop starts: 2.30pm next month’s magazine. Mini-concert for families of participants: 3.30pm

The workshop will be run by Elinor Carter, who will be Nicholas Treadaway directing the new Dorchester Song School from Wednes- We are sad to record the death of Nick Treadaway. day 20 January (more details at the workshop), accompa- Whether in the Abbey or the Tea Room, Carole Treadaway nied by Jeremy Boughton, director of music at the Abbey. will be a familiar figure to many people and we offer Carole and her family our sincere condolences. Put it in your diary. More details next month.

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Culham & District Your Parish Council Horticultural Club Meetings at the Abbey Guest House Remember, Dorchester-on-Thames at 7.30pm Remember, Wednesday 18 November the 5th of Tom Price will give a talk entitled Oxford Botanic Garden: November... A plethora of plants. Tom is Gardens Curator at the Oxford Botanic Garden. I hope you have spotted the poster in this month’s Dorchester News, for our first village firework display in Membership is open to all those who have a keen interest over twenty years. We are planning hard to make it a in horticulture (annual subscription £15) and visitors are wonderful evening for everyone in the village, so please welcome at the meeting (donation £2). For more details make sure the date is in your diary! contact Judy White (01235 850381; [email protected]). Come along at 5.30pm to start the evening with some wonderful food. Locally sourced burgers and sausages with all the trimmings, home-made soup, warm Winter Pimms, beer, tea, coffee, soft drinks and home made cakes, will all be on sale. Take a seat in one of the mar- quees, or warm up at the bonfire, whilst waiting for a spectacular display given by a professional firework com- Hempcroft Allotment News pany. The Dorchester Allotment Society Annual General Meet- ing was held on 22 September 2015 in the Village Hall. One lucky person will have the opportunity to actually About 40 members paid their rent and subscriptions for start the firework display! We will be selling lucky tickets the coming year and about 30 stayed for the AGM. for £1, on the night, and if yours is chosen you will be asked to press the button to start the display! Edward Metcalfe continued as the Chairman, Mark Town- son as the Treasurer, and William Downey as the Allot- There will be no parking on the recreation ground (except ment Manager. Stuart Poole joined the Committee. Stuart for Disabled Badge holders) nor in Drayton Road but and Hayley Poole are new to the village and in one sea- there is plenty of parking in the Dorchester Bridge car son turned a derelict 10 pole plot into the winner of the park. We also ask that you do not bring any fireworks or Best Kept Allotment trophy presented at the Autumn sparklers to the display. Don’t worry, there will be glow Flower Show. sticks galore.

ALL THIS for just a voluntary donation at the entrance. Mark Townson presented the accounts of the Society. Any profits made will be given to Footsteps, our chosen These continue to be in a healthy state with over £760 village charity. held in the account or as cash. There had been expenditure of about £200 this year for filling in potholes at the main entrance to the allotments. Following the substantial rent increase last year there has been no need to increase the Dorchester rent or the subscriptions this year. The rents are gathered on behalf of the Parish Council who pay for the water that Village Hall is used on the allotments. 200 Club

Seed catalogues were available for collection at the meeting Prize Draw and members were encouraged to order seeds from the Congratulations to the winners of the September draw. catalogue because the Society derived some income from 1st Prize £75 No. 129 Mrs J Smith this. The Kings seed catalogue contains many colour pho- 2nd Prize £45 No. 175 Mrs Parris-Doller tographs of the vegetables or flowers, which will be a 3rd Prize £25 No. 30 Mr & Mrs Ireson great help in identifying which seeds one might wish to buy. Spare seed catalogues have been placed in a box The next draw will be in December, with a first prize of on the wall of the Allotment Society shed. £100 so join now for a chance to win!

A number of issues of common interest were discussed at The 200 Club is a quarterly prize draw to raise funds for the meeting. There is still a concern that some dog walkers the village hall. There are only 200 tickets and some are are not behaving responsibly when they bring dogs still available at £12 for the year (4 draws from when you across the allotment on the public rights of way. join). To join, contact Elaine Moore on 340441 or email [email protected] for a This is the time of year, i.e. rent collection time, when form. Good luck! some people decide to give up their allotment. We now have some good plots available ranging from small squares to half size (5 pole) plots. If anyone is interested then please contact me. Edward Metcalfe Dorchester Abbey 340160 Christmas Tree Event. Please come to help to decorate the tree on Satur- mobile day 5 December between 9.30 and 11.30. There will LIBRARY be an all-age workshop, too, to make special tree Alternate Thursdays, 2.55–3.15pm decorations (please ensure that children are accom- Lay-by opposite the War Memorial panied by adults). Refreshments will be available.

12 November, 26 November

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Dorchester on Thames Historical Society Wednesday 25 November 7.30pm in Dorchester Village Hall (back room) We are very pleased to announce that we are now having There will be a talk on ‘Feasts and Feasting’ by Jane new ladies join our numbers. McDonald. Jane McDonald is Head of Art at St Helen’s School in Abingdon. Her interest in the history of food is As mentioned before, DOT WI welcomes all ladies young, underpinned by many years of looking at paintings and middle aged and the young at heart, so please join us. cooking. ‘Peru, an insight’, given by John Ingham in October. Visitors and new members are always very welcome to John's talk introduced us to a part of Peru not usually on our talks and outings. the tourist route, especially the ocean side of the Andes Gail Thomas around Chachapoyas. Introducing us to spectacular scenery Chairman and an insight into archaeology prior to the Conquest by the Spanish. Burial sites set into sheer rock but with rock Benson Choral Society overhang to protect them for centuries. So much of this Dorchester Abbey, exploration done by John on foot, apparently a return after Saturday 28 November at 7.30 pm 25 years. Many thanks John for sharing some of this with us. Mozart – Requiem Mozart – Piano Concert No 24 in C minor Thursday, 12 November 7.30 Ola Gjeilo – Sunrise Mass by kind invitation of Susan Jupp 13 Watling Lane DOT Of the programme, our conductor and Musical Director Simple Exercises and a Quiz Chris Walker writes: ‘I very much look forward to the coming A great opportunity to get to know one another better. It season, and especially the November concert. might be useful to let Susan know if you are attending, so that she has a better idea about seating. Mozart’s Requiem is a masterpiece of choral writing that 01865 341066 surely needs no introduction. It is a great privilege for us to be able to perform this alongside one of Mozart’s finest Operation Christmas Child Shoe Campaign Piano Concertos played by our own exceptional pianist Please bring shoe boxes filled with gifts to the November Anita D’Attellis and the Elgar Orchestra. meeting. For guidance regarding the filling of the box please phone To round off the programme, will be the Sunrise Mass by Linda Hender 01865 340032 Ola Gjeilo. Beginning with the mystery and minimalist Last year 6,000 boxes were dispatched to needy children static harmonies of The Spheres, (Kyrie), the music trav- worldwide. els through Sunrise, (Gloria) and The City (Credo) to the If anyone can offer help at the warehouse please also earthly tune of Identity & The Ground (Sanctus).’ contact Linda

Tickets may be purchased from Stephanie Martin. Thursday 10 December at 7.30 Village Hall Ring (evenings only) 01865 407395, or Christmas Party with entertainment by Marguerite Osborne. email [email protected] Members will be asked to bring food etc, signing lists will be available at the meeting on 12th November Tickets are £15, £12 and £10. or phone : Gill Haworth 340775 Susan Jupp 341066 Audrey Houlston 343331

Please keep Thursday 28 January free when we will be holding our annual New Year lunch.

In 2016 our meetings will be held at 2.30pm. This is with the agreement of the members. It is also hoped that this will help to increase membership.

We are very pleased to welcome a new member, Anne Parker to DOT WI Committee.

More members are still needed for the Committee with a willingness to take Office in 2016. This will enable some of the long serving Officers to step down.

As always, I should like to thank everyone for your continued friendship, enthusiasm and support which makes our Institute a success.

Ladies interested in joining please contact:- Pauline Kenway-Jackson (01865 340746) An illustration from Pickwick Papers used by President Prof. Greg Stores to show Dickens’s observations on Jill Love (01865 716557) maladies of the time—in this case obesity. Vice President and Publicity Officer See Focus on Dorchester Historical Society, page 17.

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Royal British Legion Pre-School Sunday 8 November Just when we thought it wasn't possible, the cute-factor at Remembrance Sunday. Pre-School just got higher! - the eggs we've been monitoring in Service in the Abbey at 10am followed by service at the the incubator hatched and we now have four new fluffy War Memorial with the Choir and Oxford Silver Band. little friends! To balance things up though, the children have also been collecting bugs from the garden and on Annual Christmas Draw. our various nature walks around the village, so we're just The Annual Christmas Draw will take place in The George, hoping those creepy crawlies don't turn up anywhere un- Dorchester on Wednesday 16 December at 7pm. expected!

Draw tickets will be £1 each or £5 per book. Prizes will Given the 'mass exodus' at the end of the last school include a £50 Tesco hamper, dinners for two at the year, it is with great pleasure that I can say our morning George and White Hart, Spirits, Wine, Chocolates etc. sessions are now nearly all full. Our new children are Tickets available from committee members and retailers in well and truly settled in and all the toddlers are enjoying the village. All proceeds to the Royal British Legion. our new cooking club.

A final mention goes to our day in the Tea Rooms - we If you would like to donate a prize please contact me on had a fantastically successful day! Partly thanks to the the number below. weather, but mostly to the generosity and support of Simon Madden some parents and families. We raised a great amount of Chairman money which will go towards new equipment....possibly 07831 392343 bug deterrents! DoT Tots. St Birinus After some wonderful years, Dot Tots is currently 'on hold' until the next round of babies take over! What started as School News coffee and a natter, our local toddler group progressed to At the end of September, 7 children and I had a fantastic an exciting mix of fun and activities for our little time at Woodlands helped by the most amazing weather – ones. We've had regular craft sessions, dancing, singing this was a week’s residential visit in Wales. Nat, Emilia, and games and I personally feel it was a truly valuable Sophia, Tom, Megan, Amber and Charlie pushed themselves to and constructive couple of hours for my children, right on try all the activities with a great deal of excitement and our doorstep, every week. Although it is sad to think it determination, which has been great to see. They worked will not be running on Thursdays anymore, with so many and played extremely well with the children from St Blaise of the children now at big school there just aren't the in their activity groups and with William Fletcher School numbers to make it viable. That said, there are plenty of (schools we joined on the adventure) during the meal local 'teenies' that will soon be at the perfect age for it to times and evening activities – I am so proud of them. We re-launch! all tried caving, canoeing, the high ropes course, climbed up a mountain on a long walk, this with the evening activities Until then, if anybody is new to the village, has a new certainly filled our days. They even kept their rooms clean baby or just would like to chat with other mums while – luckily my room was never checked! their children make new friends, a spin-off toddler group can meet on Tuesday mornings in the Abbey, where Congratulations to Angelina Sirjajeva, Ryan Robinson, there will be coffee and biscuits and plenty of toys. It will Carys Sadler, Theo Beaman, Charlie Talbot, Megan Sad- run alongside the usual Abbey coffee morning so there ler, who are our Writers of the Month for September – will always be a friendly face there, and I bet a regular these are the children who have shown either good who'd be easily convinced to read a story or two! progress in their writing or a piece of writing has really caught the imagination of their teacher during the month. The coffee morning runs from 10.30am - 12 noon, every- Well done to them! body welcome.

Each term, our Big Write is based around a particular top- If you are apprehensive but keen to meet other mums, ic. For term 2, we started with a Wild Animal visit in the then call Amanda on 07796 942027 first week of term and then built our writing around this visit. Therefore, we are always looking for new and exciting Fun at Berinsfield Library topics for each new term. So I am putting in a request for Children had great fun at Berinsfield Library over the help - if you have a particular interest or skill that you summer. 175 children joined our Record Breakers Sum- would be able/willing to share with the children to help us mer Reading Challenge with 104 children reading six develop their writing, please contact me at school (01865 books and gaining their Certificate and Medal. We held 340081) as it would be most appreciated. two craft afternoons with 40 children arriving for our face

painting afternoon and 12 attending our ‘Dress your teddy Russell Leigh as a Record Breaker’ day. Headteacher Dorchester St Birinus CE Primary School We hold regular Craft afternoons in the school holidays and weekly Story and Rhyme Times on a Wednesday at 3.45pm. All children are welcome. Why not call in at the Library or ring 01865 340771 for more details Chiropodist We have started a monthly Junior Reading Group on a Third Thursday of each month, 1.00–4.00 pm Saturday for children aged 8-10, who can attend on their Belcher Court Sitting Room own for this event. Come and talk about your favourite 19 November books, play games, do quizzes and have lots of fun.

For an appointment, Jo Bennett, 079031 33469 We look forward to seeing you in Berinsfield Library very Cost £15 soon. Come and join in the fun.

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Dorchester News November 2015 12

Earth Trust Hurst Water Meadow Forthcoming November events Potions and Pumpkins Trust News Sunday 1 November, 10am-2pm Review of the summer months Drop in to the Earth Trust Centre to taste our scarily delicious Many of you have said how much you like the log seats pumpkin soup by the fire and make some Halloween po- in the Hurst, especially the ‘classroom’ under the oak tions. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) tree which has been appreciated by groups from the free. No need to book. school and the pre-school.

Heritage Experiences The hay has been cut on all our meadows and the foot- Sunday 8 November, 11am-3pm paths have been regularly mown by volunteer Richard For the last 18 months Earth Trust volunteers have been Tilley. (Thank you Richard, it makes such a difference learning traditional skills such as green woodworking, for walkers). blacksmithing, basket weaving and hedge laying - come along and see what they have been doing and have a go Other volunteers have joined us in starting to cut down yourself! Free. nettles and widen paths in Old Bridge Meadow.

Star Walk In Overy Mead Piece topographical, river and wildlife Friday 13 November, 6pm-8pm surveys have been completed and the first reports Join the Earth Trust for a starlit countryside walk with Dr produced. These indicate that the site has high conservation Russell Layberry from Oxford University. Appropriate for value with a number of uncommon species present. older children and adults. £5 adult, £2 child; booking essen- tial: 01865 407792 or [email protected] Work programme for the winter Essential tree surgery, hedge laying and coppicing of As always, more information can be found on our website undergrowth will take place in the coming months. Some www.earthtrust.org.uk. All events take place at the Earth of this work is done by professionals, but there is much Trust, Little Wittenham, OX14 4QZ unless otherwise stated. that can be undertaken by volunteers. At the end of October our volunteer numbers were swelled by mem- bers of Sonning Common Green Gym who worked with us, to great effect, in Old Bridge Meadow. Here our aim is to open up the wetland areas and stretches of the river bank downstream from Dorchester Bridge.

Gardeners Required On Overy Mead Piece we intend to plant a selection of Do you have green fingers? Do you have a little time to fruiting native shrubs on the land enclosed by the last spare? meander of the river Thame. We hope that these will attract feeding birds which can be viewed from ‘Blue If the answer to these questions is “Yes!” then the Earth Bridge’ at the confluence. Also we have been given Trust would love to hear from you! native black poplars to plant (these trees are becoming rare) and we shall be installing an interpretation board Around the Earth Trust Centre in Little Wittenham there are giving information about the meadow and river. some gardens in need of attention. The area includes fruit bushes, five beds of shrubs and ground cover plants, low In The Hurst we shall be advancing our rolling programme box hedges, two herb beds, and three climbing plants. of hedge laying, coppicing and pollarding which is There are also some less formal areas used by school essential to achieve vegetation of mixed maturity, which groups: an orchard, wild play area, wildlife pond and living encourages species diversity. willow structures, plus native hedgerows. If all this incites your interest, and you feel like some “Whilst it’s great to leave some areas of your garden to grow winter exercise, please contact us about volunteering. wild, to benefit local wildlife, some plants require a bit more It need not be too demanding or too often! care, so we’re looking for green fingered volunteers to help us maintain and develop these gardens and other areas. Also, please contact us if you have any suggestions and We’ll provide support, tools, gloves and other safety equipment opinions about how we are managing your meadows. when necessary, as well as the all important tea, coffee and biscuits. Ideas for new plantings and other improvements Gillian Johnson Andrew Clements would be welcomed so there is a real opportunity for someone Honorary Secretary Honorary Treasurer to put their own stamp on it,” said Jez Elkin, Volunteer 01865 340925 01865 340753 Engagement Officer at the Earth Trust. Website: www.hurst-water-meadow.org.uk

Much of the work is dependent on the time of year but the Trust could easily accommodate a couple of volunteer gardeners one or two days a week. If you are interested please contact Jez on 01865 409413 Coming up… or [email protected]. For more information about the Earth Trust see www.earthtrust.org.uk New Year’s Eve Strauss Gala Dorchester Abbey 7pm Fishmonger Wonderful waltzes and polkas mostly by Johann Strauss The travelling fishmonger comes to Dorchester every Junior. Plus well-known songs from Strauss and Lehar, Tuesday and will stop at : including arias from glorious ‘Die Fledermaus’, with brilliant young soprano Sophie Pullen. 10.20 - 10.30am in High Street near War Memorial Orchestra of St John’s Tickets £15 and £20.

13 Dorchester News November 2015

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Dorchester News November 2015 14

Are you sitting comfortably? It was the day of the Village Spring Show when I agreed In the meantime a lady called Barbara Bergmann got in to meet Kathy Glass in the Cloister Garden to see whether I touch with me as a result of the piece in the Courier to could help with some say that she had no connection with the Casters but had volunteer gardening. visited Dorchester in 2009. In retirement, she was writing As we looked around, a novel based in a Thames-side village. She had been I noticed a very de- researching possible locations and wanted to look at crepit bench sitting Dorchester to see if it really was as good as her online rather forlornly under research indicated. She writes, ‘I subsequently spent a the yew tree by the lovely afternoon visiting the Abbey, dining at The George entrance to the gar- and exploring the little museum’. Some of the local land- den. A plaque on it marks have been used in a chapter of her novel. Since said ‘In memory of her visit she has recognised Dorchester in several Doris and Edward episodes of Midsomer Murders! Caster, Claremont California, USA’. I said ‘I thought of Dorchester as my own little discovery’ she to nobody in particular writes ‘so when I came across a brief article in the that it would be nice to Claremont Courier in which your plea for assistance get a replacement and about the Abbey bench was outlined, it felt like a circle wondered if anyone was being completed’. She generously offered to pay for knew who the Casters a replacement bench. were and whether they still had any family in The transfer of funds to the Abbey’s bank account was a California. I thought rather protracted saga and I am grateful to Nick Forman, that if Claremont had the Abbey Treasurer, for his patience during this period. a local paper I would She ended up sending a cheque through the post. I also write to them asking if have to thank Helen Anderson for putting me in touch their readers knew with a wonderful company called the ‘4memorialbench anything about the company’. The bench was finally delivered on Tuesday Casters and their con- 15 September. It has a very fitting dedication from The bench arriving... nection to Dorchester. Barbara carved on the back rail, so do go and have a look at it. Barbara is thrilled with it and is promising to It took less than a minute to find the Claremont Courier pay us a visit next Spring. via Google and I wrote to the Editor asking whether she would be willing to put something in the paper about the bench to see if any family survived or anybody knew them. There was no date on the plaque so it wasn’t clear when the bench had been donated to the Abbey but I guessed it was sometime in the 1960s.

The Editor agreed to put something in a future edition. This was followed by a long silence and I thought that was the end of it. Then, out of the blue, I got an email from Diane Devilbess a graduate of Scripps College in Claremont (Class of 1957), explaining that Edward Caster was a Professor of Biology and Psychology at Scripps and that his wife Doris was Director of Scripps Chorus.

It was a tradition at Scripps that staff and students were given a “Surprise Day” when they had the day ...and in situ. off to go on a trip. The Casters took some students with them but tragically their car was hit by a truck and both were killed although the students survived. Diane thought I have urged her to finish her novel so that perhaps we this was in 1958. The Casters had no children but colleagues can sell it in the Museum! I get the impression that she is and friends were devastated by their loss and donated the enjoying the research more than the writing. Perhaps bench in their memory. another visit to Dorchester will spur her on.

It is not clear what their connection with the Abbey or Dorchester If anyone has any information as to how the Casters was but perhaps Edith Stedman was involved. came to be connected to the village, it would be good to hear about it. Megan Parry

21st Anniversary of OSJ Voices Urgent Village Notices 12 December 2015 The Parish Clerk sends urgent village notices via e-mail 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm as the occasion warrants. If you would like to be added to his e-mail list, please send a message to Dorchester Abbey [email protected]. When you £37.50 / £30 / £20 receive the message, you will view only your own e-mail Christmas music address: as a security precaution, all other residents’ addresses are hidden. This is standard practice to OSJ Voices protect your e-mail address. Conducted by Jeremy Jackman

15 Dorchester News November 2015

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Dorchester News November 2015 16

Focus on … Dorchester Historical Society Eight times a year, usually on the last Wednesday of the There have been two books published by the Society. month, around thirty to forty people gather in the Village Mary’s Book – Historical notes from Dorchester News Hall (back room). This is the monthly meeting of the 1989-2007 was published in 2008, and later updated to Dorchester Historical Society, and they are there largely April 2009. This provides fascinating glimpses of to learn from and be stimulated by the speaker of the Dorchester past through Mary Tame’s regular pieces in month. The subjects of these talks are wide-ranging, Dorchester News. In 2010 the Society published Lessons from the history of Dorchester, its buildings and people, from history: 350 years of education in a small Oxfordshire to topics of regional interest, such as migration from village again by Mary Tame. Both of these are still availa- Oxfordhsire, which featured recently, to subjects of ble from the Dorchester Abbey Museum. general interest. In the last category there have been talks on the history of sleep and the art of railway posters. The Society has accumulated a collection of documents about the village and its past, which, under the name of the Dorchester Historical Society Archive, now totals around 1,250. This archive includes books, pamphlets, research projects, oral histories and photographs and is now housed in the Dorchester Abbey Museum, with which the Society shares an obvious common interest. With this information and the parish records, the History Society can help trace your antecedents if they lived in the area.

The Society and the Museum have also worked together on displays such as ‘Dorchester Women in World War I’, which gave an insight into the life of the village 100 years ago, how war affected family life and the role that local women played in the war effort.

The archive is a living and growing thing, and anyone with letters, photographs or publications from Dorchester past may like to consider donating or loaning them. The material is currently in the process of being digitised so that docu- ments will, hopefully, never be lost.

And don’t forget, the ‘past’ is not necessarily that long ago. The way we live has changed so much in the last 50 years that documents from the 1960s and even 1970s would now be considered of historical interest. They may An illustration from Prof Greg appear to be mundane and every day to those of us who Stores’ talk on the history of sleep. were around then, but if they are not preserved now they will be lost to future generations. As Gail Thomas, Chair- Within Dorchester we are fortunate to have a number of man of the Society since 2012, puts it ,they are part of the excellent local speakers, such as Greg Stores and Malcolm ’Living History’ of the village and tell Dorchester’s on-going Airs, who have both addressed the society. Other local story. speakers include Denise Line, who will be talking in January about Dorchester’s So if we think of 50 years ago being ‘history’, that means history as illustrated by that the founding of the postcards and the people Historical Society is itself shown in them. part of the history of Dorchester, having been But like the subjects, the founded in the 1960s. speakers are not confined Unfortunately space to being local but are drawn precludes us going into from a range of sources and this, but it is a topic to institutions. which we shall return in the near future with the One memorable speaker came dressed as an Anglo- help of Mary Tame and Saxon and gradually her recollections of how it discarded items as he was created and has described and explained evolved. them. Another memorable speaker was from the River Meanwhile, if you have Police, and described some of the more gruesome as- any interest in the history pects of patrolling the Thames. of Dorchester, the region or in history at all, come along to the Village Hall on the last Wednesday of the month. Currently there is a waiting list of speakers keen to come and talk to us, so we shall not run out anytime soon. In November there will be a talk on ‘Feasts and Feasting’ This is all overseen by an enthusiastic committee which given by Jane McDonald, Head of Art at St Helen’s School meets and plans the meetings and speakers for the in Abingdon. We can expect her talk to be illustrated by coming year. food and meals as depicted in paintings and artworks over the years, and sounds mouth-wateringly good. You don’t The talks are not the only role of the Historical Society. have to be a member to attend, although if you enjoy the There is the annual outing, which this year was to historic meetings you will surely want to join. As John Lennon house, Wrest Park, and the John Bunyan museum. But historically wrote, nearly 50 years ago, ‘A splendid time is that is not all. guaranteed for all’.

17 Dorchester News November 2015

Dorchester News November 2015 18

Thank you from Lesotho After the sudden death of my husband in February this year, my life became unbalanced. I did not know whether I would cope to run a family and carry on building ‘Leselinyana’ without him.

Each time I realized he was not there, tears would fall from my eyes like a heavy rain. I shared this problem with my children who would stare silently at me with eyes full of tears too. It was a difficult time for all of us. I shared this with family members and friends and they all tried their level best to console me but very little difference would show.

Once I had a long talk through the telephone with Kieke van der Zwaal, one of my best friends and colleague. Host an international student We share a lot and she came with the particularly over Christmas, is Room at the inn? Small charity HOST suggestion that I could come to extremely rewarding.” is seeking friendly people who would Europe, perhaps for two reasons: to like to learn more about other coun- be away from a world of grief for at Visits can be for a day, weekend, or tries and cultures and share their least one month and to thank all those four days at Christmas. Offering a home life with adult international stu- who supported our project Christmas invitation to someone who dents at UK universities. Young “Leselinyana” through the years so would otherwise be alone on a adults from many countries would generously and to update them about University campus can make a big love to have a short homely break the progress we have made so far. difference. Invitations are urgently and discover the real life of this country. needed from volunteer hosts, no

I was a bit sceptical because my matter their age, or how far they live Host Kit Millington-Hore wrote friends Kieke and Klaas were getting from a university. To find out more, or “Meeting students from around the ready to move from Dorchester back to be put in touch with your local world is hugely fulfilling and satisfy- to Holland so that would cause incon- organiser, please visit ing. Watching their pleasure as you venience in their preparations. But www.hostuk.org or call introduce them to our ways of living, because my children supported the 020 7739 6292. idea I decided to do it.

them to take the offer, for they needed I started to get visas for two countries, a rest and I knew they had to be work. I am inspired, motivated and touched by their dedication, to spare Holland and the UK. Coming to the away so their daughter (adopted their time and resources for the sake UK these days is very difficult, from Lesotho) Thato could prepare especially for the citizens of Lesotho, everything to make the party suc- of people they do not know. This is incredible. which was not the case in the past ceed. Her aunt, Marjolein, who because we did not need a visa to came to the UK with us, did a won- I would like to thank all the ladies in come to the UK. We now have to derful job during their absence and I travel to Pretoria to apply for it, which their different groups especially the helped as much as I could. group leaders for allowing me to do is very expensive, both the travelling and the visa. Nevertheless it all came the job with them and to be able to up positively. From this party I learned how beautifully talk with different visitors about our Kieke and Klaas lived with friends, project. I love you all ladies. In Europe: I arrived in Holland on 29 neighbours and colleagues. It was June, and I came to the UK on 6 July. wonderful. I thank Revd. Canon Sue Booys who in her weak health troubled herself to In Holland we worked hard to make Life in Dorchester on Thames: it was come to Kieke’s place and had a space for the movers from the UK. I so thrilling to meet people I knew meal with us. I could not have enough think that may not have been easy for before; it was like I was back home. time to talk our theological language them with a grieving African visitor. I visited Mary Tame in the home and unfortunately. Therefore I was very happy to learn had meals with families and friends. from Kieke’s sister in law, Marjolein, What motivated me most was meeting Sue, the family, and the members of the Abbey Parish, thank you for your that Thato, with the help of Teresa people and being able to talk with Manganon, was organizing a Surprise them. hospitality I will always be with you in Party for their 70th birthdays as well my prayers. I thank the family van der Zwaal for making it possible to come as their Leaving Party. That sounded Tea Room Ladies: wonderful and I kept the secret from During the last week of my stay in to the UK, meet and have contact them. this historic place, (because of the with you. Abbey Church), I had a chance of They were offered a holiday trip to visiting the tearoom for four suc- May God Almighty be with you all. Ireland the week before by their eldest cessful opening days. The ladies Rev Merriam M. Fotho son and partner and I encouraged were so good to me, I loved their

19 Dorchester News November 2015

Dorchester News November 2015 20

Langtree Sinfonia Go Active comes to Autumn Concert 2015 South Oxfordshire The Autumn concert of the Langtree Sinfonia will be held An exciting new scheme to help older people in rural in St Mary’s Church, Wallingford on Saturday, areas become more active is to launch across South November 7, at 7.30pm. Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.

The evening starts with the sparkling overture `Tancredi’ South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District by Rossini, always a bright start to any concert. Set in Councils have been awarded £227,000 by Sport England Sicily in AD 1000, it tells of family betrayals, battles and, in for Go Active Gold, a three year project offering a range the natural way of all such things, eventual triumph. of sports and classes in rural areas for people aged 60 Rossini’s work sets the tone for the evening which contin- plus. ues with the Piano Concerto No 2 by Camille Saint-Saens.

Written in 1868, it was described as `starting with Bach Go Active Gold will target different villages each year to and ending with Offenbach’ and was first performed by encourage people to do 30 minutes of moderate intensity Saint-Saens himself, with the great Russian pianist Anton physical activity each week. Sessions start in January Rubenstein conducting. Some act to follow ..! and will be delivered by Go Active Gold ‘activators’ and local sports and activity coaches. English pianist Simon Watterton has given recitals as soloist and chamber musician all across the world. In recent Members of the local community will also be encouraged to years he has performed in China, Canada, the USA, Swe- volunteer to help spread the message about what’s on den and Italy as well as extensively in the UK and Ireland. offer and set up and deliver some sessions.

Simon studied at the Purcell School of Music with Patsy Activities will begin in January and will include dance, tai chi, Toh and the Royal College of Music with Yonty Solomon, table tennis, golf, bowls, pilates, yoga, Nordic walking where he won a range of prizes and awards. and fitness

Rounding off the evening will be Beethoven’s Second Dorchester is not included in the first wave of villages Symphony. Written in 1802-3 at the same time that Beethoven but more locations will be announced shortly, so keep realized that his deafness might be permanent, it never- watching out for them. theless brims with confidence and shows him pushing the boundaries of what was possible in music. Further details from www.southoxon.gov.uk/news The orchestra began as a music class in adult education in 1971 and went on to establish itself as an independent orchestra to further its development. When the orchestra celebrated its 40th anniversary it combined with local choirs to perform Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, a work which combined vocal and instrumental soloists with the orchestra. Other works played have included Brahms’s Academic Festival overture and Dvorak’s 6th Symphony.

Paul Cox conducts.

Tickets available at the door or from 0118 9415498 Adults £10.00 Students £5.00 Under 16s free

The Band of Music Next concert in our series at St Mary-le-More, Wallingford Saturday 14 November at 1pm

The second of our three-part series in conjunction with St Mary-le-more will be on 14 November at 1pm. It will be an hour’s concert of classical quartets for oboe and strings, with music by Mozart, Haydn, JC Bach and Vanhal. Please come along with family and friends and combine it with lunch at one of Wallingford’s many good eateries!

We are all professional players on eighteenth-century instruments, and most of us live in Cholsey; the aims of the concert series are to raise some money for St Mary’s church tower, and to bring more high-quality live music to the town.

Tickets cost £10 (free for children), and are available from the Town Information Centre in Wallingford, or by email- ing [email protected]. For more information please visit www.thebandofmusic.co.uk.

21 Dorchester News November 2015

Dorchester News November 2015 22

Citizens Advice Computer Confidence – puts pension Demystifying IT options in your hands Drop-in sessions for older residents

Q. I’ve heard that the new pension reforms say I will have If you.... full access to my pension pot when I turn 55. How do I work  Are nervous about computer use and/or baf- out what I should do with my pension savings? fled by Information Technology (IT)  Can’t decide whether to take the plunge A. The pension reforms that came in this April give people the freedom to access their defined contribution  Have the kit (tablet, laptop, Mac, I-pad) but pension and do whatever they want with it. You can buy an aren’t confident about using it annuity, or take your pension out in one go, or withdraw it  Are already a user, but want to share problems bit by bit and leave some of it invested. Planning for your and find answers retirement can be complicated so it’s important to get  Need more skills guidance on your options. Come and join our friendly group of users and men- tors The good news is that the Government has introduced When: Thursday 26 November, 2.30-3.45 Pension Wise, a new free Where: Dorchester Village Hall, back room service offering guidance (wi-fi internet access). Tea/coffee provided online, over the phone with The Equipment: some available, but please bring your Pensions Advisory Service, or own portable devices if you can, as you will feel more face to face with Citizens Advice. at home with them. Appointments are pre-booked 45-minute sessions tailored to your individual circumstances. Guidance is impartial, Contact: Margot Metcalfe, 340054, or email: meaning that it will not recommend products or services, [email protected] but the person you talk to will describe your options and help you consider their impact.

To get the most out of Pension Wise guidance, preparation Social Media Workshops is important. First, work out the value of your pension pots. for Women Look at your most recent statement or contact your provider. ‘Better Broadband for Oxfordshire’ is offering workshops Check and see if there are any restrictions attached. Next, in using social media specifically aimed at women, from get a state pension forecast, and gather the details of any November 2015 to February 2016. These will be held at benefits you receive. a variety of locations around the county including Benson, Abingdon and Didcot. The next step is to work out your likely expenditure. Include the cost of essentials like housing or utilities, and leisure They are offering three separate types of 'free of activities. This should give you a rough budget. charge' workshops: Workshops for businesses – which focus on how Bring this information to your Pension Wise appointment. social media can be effectively used by small Citizens Advice staff will help you think through your businesses. circumstances and present the options available to you. Workshops for beginners in social media, who want to find out how the basic tools work and how to use For further help: visit www.adviceguide.org.uk., phone them best. 03444 111444 or drop in to your nearest Citizens Advice These workshops are likely to be particularly useful for Bureau, which is located at Dales, 9-15 High Street, Didcot those looking to return to work after a break, or build a OX11 8EQ. For opening hours, see www.caox.org.uk new flexible career or extend their skills for their own satisfaction. Intermediate and Master Class Workshops: Work- shops for improvers about individual social media platforms and how to use them. For these workshops you will Didcot Christmas Bake Off either have to have some existing detailed experience in and Gift Fair the relevant area, or attend one of the beginners work- shops listed earlier. 14/15 November Civic Hall Didcot For more details go to: Didcot Christmas Bake Off and Gift Fair has seven www.betterbroadbandoxfordshire.org.uk/social- categories for people to enter their bakes with great prizes media-workshops for each category. The winners then will bake overnight and one will win the star prize of a day at Miele Cookery The workshops are run by Oxfordshire County Council School in Abingdon. with funding from the Government Equalities Office.

Organised by Christine Wallace a Great British Bake off contestant three years ago, and visitor to Dorchester for the Didcot Christmas Street Fair Dorchester Festival this year.. 26 November From 4pm At the same time The Civic Hall will host 60 handmade Didcot's Annual Christmas Street Fair takes place in the food, drink, gift and craftspeople with presents for Christmas Broadway and Orchard Centre. There will be local stalls, and other occasions, Catering is done by Didcot Scouts crafts, food, entertainment, funfair and a grand parade at 7pm. and the events profits go to Didcot’s Annual Christmas Street Fair. Father Christmas will be available to meet in the Methodist Hall.

23 Dorchester News November 2015

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Dorchester News November 2015 24

Fair Mile Hospital Wallingford Gardening Cholsey Club Grow Organic This month's talk to The Wallingford Historical and At the November meeting of the Wallingford Gardening Archaeological Society (TWHAS) will be by Ian Wheeler. Club, Christie Leary will make a presentation on "Grow He will present 'Fair Mile Hospital, Cholsey'. Organic".

In its 133-year life, Fair Mile Hospital had a significant Christie lives locally in Goring, and was a founder member influence on its surrounding area - notably the village of of the Village Greenfingers gardening club. She is a keen Cholsey and its inhabitants. Ian Wheeler represents the amateur photographer and a member of the Garden fourth generation of his family to work there. This talk Organic (Henry Doubleday Research Association), The explains the old asylum’s origins and objectives and Hebe Society and the Reading & District Fuschia Society. examines its buildings and daily operation as seen by family members, spanning a period of more than a century. The talk will be held at Ridgeway Community Church, Wallingford at 7.30pm on Thursday 12 November. This talk will be held on Friday 13 Nov, 8 pm at Walling- ford Town Hall. Visitors very welcome £2. Visitors (£3) are most welcome. Isabelle Darby www.twhas.org.uk 01491 836867 Wallingford Flower Club Open Evening Your very last A Floral Demonstration chance to see..... ‘What Christmas does to Me’ There is a last chance to see this year’s special exhibition by Bob Harris (National Demonstrator) ‘Wallingford's Royal Castle Revealed’ at Wallingford at Museum, as the Museum closes for the winter on the 28 Corn Exchange Theatre, November, to prepare for new major presentations in Market Place, 2016. Wallingford OX10 0EG Alongside, to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Wednesday 11 November 2015 signing of Magna Carta there is the additional display Doors open 7pm for 7.45pm 'Magna Carta and All That!' highlighting Wallingford's Bar and Coffee available role in the events of 1215, and why it is only one of four towns mentioned in Magna Carta. King John was at All Welcome Wallingford Castle on several occasions during his falling Tickets available £10 each out with the barons which led to Magna Carta. For more information phone 01491 834303 Fay Crabbe There is also the 'Midsomer Murders' display and the growing 'At home with the Queen of Crime: Agatha Christie' Wallingford U3A where information has been presented that has been We are now taking bookings for our four day holiday in learned from several people in the town who came into July, based in Harrogate. These holidays are very popular, contact with the famous crime writer. so people need get their names down quickly.

The Museum is open until 28 November on Tuesdays - Nov 10: Visit to RAF Museum Hendon. Phone Eileen Fridays 2.00pm-5.00pm, and Saturdays 10.30am- 5.00pm. 01491 825156 www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk Speakers: Nov. 4: Tony King ‘The Bright Lights of London’ Dec 2: Christmas Party: A Festive Celebration in Music and Song with ‘Pandemonium’ Wallingford and District 2016 Jan 6: Not Joanna Lumley. The Trans-Siberian Art Club Express. Moscow to Vladivostok. Catherine and Wallingford and District Art Club meets on Tuesdays, Deirdre 7.30-9.30 pm at Centre 70, Goldsmiths Lane. On Tuesday 17 November, artist John Heywood will demon- Our meetings are held in Crowmarsh Village Hall at 2,00 strate painting a landscape in acrylics and you are most pm on the first Wednesday of the month. Visitors are welcome to join us for what is always an entertaining and always made welcome. For more info visit our website: interesting evening (visitors £5, members free). And why www.u3asites.org.uk/wallingford, or phone Jill on not come along to a FREE taster session at one of the 01491 835994 untutored painting evenings on all other Tuesdays? Just bring your own materials and ideas or simply come to have a look round and a friendly chat. Do ring or e-mail me if you would like more information on this or the other exciting demonstrations we shall be having each month. Stephanie Toole 01491 825042 [email protected]

25 Dorchester News November 2015

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Dorchester News November 2015 26

What’s On November Cinema: Performances start at 7.30pm unless other- wise stated. NB All cinema shows are now advertise- ment-free! Refuse Collections Sun 1 Spectre (12A tbc) Fridays from 7.00 am. Weekly: food waste (in bio-degradable starch-based bag Mon 2 Spectre (12A tbc) or wrapped in newspaper, in green caddy) Tues 3 Spectre (12A tbc) Fortnightly: garden waste, recycling; non-recyclable waste Wed 4 Spectre (12A tbc) Fri 6 Nov Black Thurs 5 Spectre (12A tbc) Fri 13 Nov Green Fri 20 Nov Black Fri 6 Spectre (12A tbc) at 4pm Fri 27 Nov Green

Sat 7 NT Live: Hamlet at 7pm Green = recycling (loose in large green bin) and garden waste (brown bin, +£35 pa) Sun 8 Spectre (12A tbc) Black = non-recyclable waste (in a bin liner if you Mon 9 Spectre (12A tbc) wish, in black bin)

Tues 10 Spectre (12A tbc) The recycling centre at Oakley Wood (signposted off the A4130 Nettlebed/Henley road 1½ miles east) is open.8.00am – 5.00pm Wed 11 Spectre (12A tbc) at 10.30am seven days a week. Thurs 12 Spectre (12A tbc) Sun 15 Suffragette (12A) Village Mon 16 Suffragette (12A) Bus Services Tues 17 Suffragette (12A) From Dorchester (War Memorial) Wed 18 Suffragette (12A) No. To Dep Arrive School Thurs 19 NT Live: Of Mice and Men (12A) at 7pm 114 Abingdon 07.30 08.09 days Fri 20 Everest (12A) 97 Wallingford 09.07 09.19 Sun 22 Irrational Man (12A) 97 Didcot 09.36 10.16 97 Wallingford 10.57 11.09 Mon 23 Irrational Man (12A) 97 Didcot 11.26 12.06 Fri 27 Pan (12A) 97 Wallingford 12.47 12.59 Sat 28 Pan (12A) at 10.30am 97 Didcot 13.26 14.06 Sun 29 Pan (12A) 97 Shillingford 14.47 14.51 NS Tues 8 Dec NT Live: Jane Eyre at 7pm 97 Wallingford 14.47 14.59 SO LIVE 114 Abingdon 14.56 15.16 Saturday November 7 at 7.45pm 10th anniversary concert 114 Wallingford 16.08 16.26 NS of the ever popular Accoustic Ballroom. Featuring Jackie Oates, Megan Henwood and many more. To Dorchester (War Memorial) No. From Dep Arrive Saturday November 28 at 7.45pm. Martin Daniels’ Comedy School Show. Following in the footsteps of his successful 114 Wallingford 07.15 07.30 days magician dad Paul, Martin will present a show billed as a 114 Abingdon 08.34 09.07 ‘shining example of clean, clever comedy with a touch of 97 Wallingford 09.25 09.36 magic’. 97 Didcot 10.20 10.57 COMING UP 97 Wallingford 11.15 11.26 Rapunzel, Sinodun Players’ panto, 15 to 30 January 2016. Filled to the brim with colourful characters: a wicked 97 Didcot 12.10 12.47 witch and a good witch, two silly garden gnomes, a bad 97 Wallingford 13.15 13.26 cat, a dancing robin, more gnomes, ghosts, courtiers and fairies, a dashing prince, his mum and dad and, of course, 97 Didcot 14.10 14.47 the lovely Rapunzel and her mum and dad. Not to mention 114 Shillingford 14.52 14.56 NS Matilda, the theatre cleaner, who ends up in a starring 114 Abingdon 15.38 16.08 NS role! Tickets go on sale November 20. Adults £10/£12, children £6. NS= Not Saturday. SO=Saturday only. No services on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Tickets and further information available online X39 and X40 provide half-hourly service to Oxford, Wallingford www.cornexchange.org.uk and Reading from the bypass. or from box office (01491 825000). . All buses operated by Thames Travel: www.thames-travel.co.uk or 01491 837988 . Times checked with Thames Travel website 12 October.. 27 Dorchester News November 2015

Anglican Priest Dorchester Rectory Abbey Calendar Revd. Canon Sue Booys 01865 340007 November Education Officer Sundays Margaret Craig 01865 343164 Nov 1 All Saints’ Day 8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) [email protected] (Revd. Anne Ilsley) Abbey E-mail: [email protected] 10.30am Memorial Service

Contact details for Church Wardens and other Abbey Nov 8 Remembrance information are on the notice board in the Abbey. 8.00am Holy Communion (1662) (Revd. Michael Lakey) Magazine copy: 10.30am Remembrance Service [email protected] Nov 15 2nd before Advent Abbey Web www.dorchester-abbey.org.uk 8.00 am Holy Communion (1662) (Canon Sue Booys) Village Web www.dorchesteronthames.co.uk 10.30am Christingle 6.00pm Evensong Roman Catholic Priest The Presbytery Fr. John Osman Bridge End Nov 22 Christ the King 01865 340417 8.00am Holy Communion (1662) www.stbirinus.co.uk (Revd. Michael Lakey) 10.30am Sung Eucharist 12 noon Baptism 7.00pm Taize@7

Regular events Nov 29 Advent Weekly: 8.00am Holy Communion (1662) Monday 10.00 am – 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm – 4.00 pm (Canon Sue Booys) Abbey Guest House: Watercolour Painting [Full 10.30am Team Family Service details from rebeccahind.com] 6.00pm Team Service Tuesday 7.30 pm Abbey: Bellringing Practice 10.20-10.30am by War Memorial Fishmonger (p.13) Weekdays Thursday 9.30 am – 11.00am Village Hall: Baby & Toddler Every Tuesday Group (term time only) 10.30am – 12 noon Coffee in the Abbey Friday 7.00 pm Abbey: Choir Practice Alt Thurs 2.55 to 3.15pm War Memorial: Mobile Every Wednesday Library (p.7) 9.30am Holy Communion at Berinsfield Church

Monthly: Tue 3 6.45pm Visiting Choir singing Evensong 2nd Thursday 7.30 pm Village Hall: WI 2nd Wednesday 7.30 pm Village Hall: Parish Council Tue 10 10.15am Short Communion (green p.1) 3rd Wednesday Culham Horticultural (Abbey Guest Thurs 12 7.45pm PCC Meeting House) (p.7) 3rd Thursday Classic Car Show George Hotel Sat 21 2.00pm Wedding of Paul Norris and 3rd Thursday Belcher Court: Chiropodist (p.11) Abbie Anns 4th Thursday 2.30 pm: Service at the Cheshire Home Thurs 26 2.30pm Service at the Cheshire Home See Village Notice Boards for details. Please send all entries and updates for the Dorchester Sat 28 7.30pm Benson Choral Society concert Diary to Geoff Russell by email to: [email protected]. Parish Registers The Diary will also appear in the Parish Council’s website: www.dorchesteronthames.co.uk Holy Baptism 20 September Chiana Cordelia Hope Cleak Deadline for Elena Maria Hancock December/January Holy Matrimony Dorchester News 26 September Ashley James Tomlins and All items must be sent by Amelie Elizabeth Quirke Friday 13 November to 3 October Andrejs Olehnovics and [email protected] Charlotte Lindsey

Anything you would like sent to newsletter editors for Funeral at crematorium other churches in the Team should be sent to [email protected] by the 9th of the 28 September Nicholas Treadaway preceding month

Dorchester News November 2015 28

Parish Council Notices Monthly Meeting - November News from RAF Benson The November meeting will take place in the back room of the On behalf of the Parish Council, Cllr Keith Russell was present at Village Hall on Wednesday 11 November commencing at 7.30 a meeting in Benson Parish Hall on Friday 2 October. This is pm. All are welcome to attend for any part of the meeting. his report.

The Agenda will be posted on Village notice boards and on I attended the Station Commander's briefing regarding the the Parish Council section of the Village website – impact that having Chinook Helicopters based in Benson www.dorchesteronthames.co.uk - three clear days in advance might have on local communities. of the meeting. All Parish Council Meetings are open to the public; a resident who wishes to raise any matter of concern is As expected, it was very reasonable. In fact, it suggested that welcome to do so at the start of the meeting. apart from a different sound coming from these two-bladed helicopters we wouldn't notice any great changes. There will only be six of them based at Benson, but for operational reasons, only two of them would be flying at any one time. They require County Council Budget Cuts intensive maintenance and this is all to do with keeping them On 21 September Cllrs Chris Hill and Val Howells, representing at peak (and safety) levels of performance. Dorchester Parish Council, attended a meeting at the Kassam Stadium entitled "Oxfordshire together". This report has been Yes, there will be night training flights and these are unwelcomed, written by Val Howells. but during the summer months the window for operations is cut to just the hours of darkness, so they will continue. Very A recent meeting chaired by Ian Hudspeth (leader of Oxford- gently, the Group Captain pointed out that this isn't a commercial shire County Council) saw members of the local communities airfield it's a front-line RAF base for training young aircrew brought together (at parish, town and district level) to discuss ready for combat activities. Every effort will be made to be the financial challenge facing Oxfordshire County Council as a 'good neighbours' but their work must go on. result of large cuts in their budget. Overall, I heard nothing I hadn't expected to hear, but I was The council wants a thriving county but to do this they need to reassured that our interests are known and efforts will be prioritise, to devolve work and help communities to help them- made to 'keep us happy', but this isn't a local matter. The base selves. Ian Hudspeth spoke of ways in which communities are is an essential part of the UK's defence network and this is, already helping themselves with community shops, libraries, whether we like it or not, a fact of life. grass cutting etc. He stated that this would give parishes and towns more local decision making, more responsibility and The very sensible RAF presentation was followed by a Q&A pride in their area. This is to be an entirely voluntary process session. and parishes are not compelled to take on more services. However if they are not taken on it seems likely we will see a PAGE drop in standard of how our towns and villages are (Parishes against Gravel Extraction) maintained. The following letter was sent by Cllr Chris Hill, Chairman of the Parish Council, on 28 September to the Department for Owen Jenkins (service manager of highways, transport and Environment and Economy Planning Regulation (Mineral and waste) took over with discussions of how to engage the councils Waste). and to assess their interest in what the highways were offering. The jobs to devolve included grass cutting, sign cleaning, Dear Sirs, weed control, public rights of way and other smaller areas. The Dorchester on Thames Parish Council is an active mem- The council will offer help, advice, some training, suggestion ber of PAGE and I am writing as Chairman of the Parish of where and how to obtain funding etc. Council regarding the Oxfordshire County Council Minerals and Waste Core Strategy consultation. It was clear from the questions and answers that most Councillors present accepted the need to make savings. However despite We have read the key elements of the report prepared by many questions the speakers had no hard facts on the savings Gardner Planning on our behalf and are in possession of the they would make by transfer of work. There were many pre-submission document. We share the concerns of PAGE searching questions but clearly the most important were: who represent our interests and views on this matter. a) how much would taking over these jobs save the council? We wholeheartedly support the submission to the current pub- lic consultation made by the PAGE chairman John Taylor. b) a question of liability and insurance and land ownership - Chris Hill, Chairman, Dorchester on Thames Parish Council the council will retain ownership of any land and remains the statutory authority with parishes acting as agents to fulfil the For further information please see services and http://www.pagecampaign.org/

c) smaller parishes were simply worried that they would not have the money to meet the costs. Contacting the Parish Council The Parish Clerk is Geoffrey Russell of The Pigeons (next to The county councillors reiterated there would be training, help The Fleur de Lys), 5-7 High Street, Dorchester-on-Thames with taking on the services, there could be some funding and OX10 7HH some smaller communities could join together. Telephone (during normal office hours, please, unless an The county councillors in my view seemed to be putting out emergency) 01865 340759 feelers but were ill prepared to take questions e –mail: [email protected]

Cllr Chris Hill, the Chairman of the Council, can be contacted via [email protected]

More information about the Village is available at www.dorchesteronthames.co.uk

1 Dorchester News November 2015

From your MP... John Howell October 2015 Over the past few weeks, while there has been a break in the ent parties, in fact much more goes on. Many special parliamentary programme for the various Party Conferences, I interest groups attend all of the Party Conferences to raise have used the time to get out about in the constituency for a awareness of their issues. In the weeks running up to the more intensive programme of meetings and visits than the conference I am often asked by constituents to make contact diary usually permits. Indeed, this has become known as my with particular groups. This year, in response to requests, I ‘September Recess Tour’ as I have done this for the past few met with people from Guide Dogs who were seeking support years. for a Private Members’ Bill soon to come before Parliament on Pavement Parking. I am aware that parking on pavements is This is the only parliamentary recess that doesn’t coincide with an issue in many of our communities where pavements are school holidays and thus it is the one where I can find more narrow and inconsiderately parked cars make passage difficult people about. This year I took the opportunity to meet with for people of all ages. Among other groups that I met with were representatives from some of the parish councils and parish representatives of The Children’s Society’s to learn about their meetings within the constituency, with many also opening the ‘Seriously Awkward’ campaign which seeks to close the gaps meeting to any residents wishing to come along. In the two in the law which currently prevents some children from being week period I meet with 25 parish groups, and held 15 other protected from harm, abuse and neglect. I also had discussion meetings with community groups, companies and members of with people on issues relating to cancer and heard about the the community. All in all I met with a large number of people concerns for those with incurable secondary breast cancer. It and listened to a wide range of concerns and views on issues. is a good opportunity for me to find out about a range of concerns that people have and an opportunity that I find very valuable. Over the period lots of different issues were raised, some very individual, some more general affecting whole communities. During the recess tour time and again I was asked how people Where parishes are in the Townlands Hospital catchment could keep up to date with what I am doing throughout the there was contentment with what has now been negotiated year. There are a number of ways that you can do this. In addition which, it was generally agreed, is substantially improved from to this newsletter sent to parish magazine editors I also pro- the original proposal. They were also grateful for work put in to duce two electronic communications – a general update which achieve this. Traffic issues were commonly raised as were is produced roughly monthly and a briefing series on specific questions on planning. There was much interest in Neighbourhood issues as and when they arise. If you would like to subscribe to Development Plans and the opportunity to have a greater say my e-newsletter please email me at in planning policy. [email protected] asking to be add- ed to my mailing list. This year a highlight of the tour was a meeting on Broadband attended by the Minister in charge of broadband, Ed Vaizey. You can also find information about my work both in Westminster The meeting discussed the roll-out of broadband in the and in the constituency on my website. This is regularly updated constituency which had been raised many times during the and the address is www.johnhowellmp.com. You can also tour. It was well attended and the Minister agreed to take up a follow me on twitter @johnhowellmp or on Facebook range of issues with BT and others and explained how the www.facebook.com/john.howellmp roll-out programme was being widened using new technolo- gies to include more and more properties. Further details of the work of Parliament is available on the parliament website at www.parliament.uk. As always I am interested Although the media reports might suggest that Party to hear views on the proposals before the House. Conferences I look forward to hearing from you!

From your county councillor… Lorraine Lindsay-Gale October 2015 Budget Refugee crisis The hard work of preparing a budget for 2016/17 is well un- People in Oxfordshire have been shocked and saddened by der way. In late October OCC will have announced the areas the images they have seen of refugees fleeing brutal regimes that are being considered for making savings. There will be a such as that in Syria, where civil war is raging. After the Prime series of road shows and a consultation to enable residents Minister announced that Britain would need to accept more to express their views. refugees from Syria, the County Council has been talking to partner agencies to see what can be done. The County Council Children’s Centre and Early Intervention Changes has a legal responsibility to protect young children known as The council's Cabinet endorsed a proposal for a full public Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers; the number in the care of consultation to take place during the autumn on the future of OCC has doubled over the last year to around 50. Government children’s centres and early intervention hubs. The proposals is being asked for additional funding to minimise the impact on follow the findings of a cross-party review of the council's OCC services. early intervention services, and children’s centres, which was reported to Cabinet in June. That review recommended that Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 1 Core Strategy a network of Children and Family Resource Centres for 0 to The public consultation into the Core Strategy has closed. Our 19 year-olds be developed targeted to those areas of greatest local action groups – PAGE and BACHPORT have submitted need, with a good geographical spread of centres. The focus strong objections to the Plan on the grounds that it is unsound would be on supporting the most vulnerable children and and not legally compliant. I support these views and have taken families. Under the proposals £8m would be saved from the every opportunity available to me to challenge the plan at current overall £16m budget for children’s centres and the County Hall: as a member of the Cabinet Advisory Group, at Early Intervention Service. The remaining £8m budget for the our Cabinet meeting in November 2014, and at full Council on current children’s centres and early intervention services 24 March 2015 when I supported an amendment bringing would be combined with the existing £4m budget for children’s these failures to the attention of all County Councillors. Sadly, social care’s Family Support Teams, creating a new £12m we lost by only three votes. The Plan now proceeds to Public service. There will be extensive consultation throughout the Inquiry. We will have to wait and see what the government autumn before any decision is taken. Inspector decides.

2 Dorchester News November 2015